Tell Your Story Before You're Gone

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Hampton Storytelling Festival, and it stirred something deep in me.

It was more than entertainment. It was a soul revival.

People from all walks of life stepped up to the mic to share their truth. Their humor. Their heartbreak. Their journey. And somewhere in the listening, I found a piece of myself again.

This WHRO article captured the heart of the festival beautifully:
Artists showcase heart and humor at Hampton Storytelling Festival – WHRO

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The Power of Story

We all have a story. Whether we whisper it, write it, or live it loudly, it matters.

Your story may not be perfect. It may be messy, unfinished, or hard to tell. But that does not make it any less valuable.

One thing I walked away with is this: If you don’t tell your story, who will?

Not just the highlights, not just the struggles, but the moments in between. The quiet strength. The unspoken hope. The chapters you are still trying to write.

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Write It as You Go

This is your reminder to write the story as you live it. That might mean journaling. That might mean blogging or recording voice notes. Or maybe it just means pausing now and then to reflect.

If something needs to be rewritten or rebooted, so be it. Life gives us that option. You can pivot. You can start a new chapter.

But what you cannot do is go back in time.

Write now. Live now.

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Love, Light, and the Spark Again

I did not expect to walk away from a storytelling festival feeling a little bit like I remembered how it felt to love. Not love someone, specifically. But just love life.

To feel alive.

That quiet inner warmth, like when the pages of your story are starting to turn again after being stuck for a while.

That is what the festival did for me.

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The Ending Will Come

We do not get to avoid the ending. Every story has one.

What we do get to decide is how we live while the story is still unfolding.

So take the trip. Make the call. Quit the thing that is killing your spirit. Live the story that makes you proud.

Not perfect. Just real.

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Your Story Matters

Whether you are writing your first page or revising the middle, your story matters.

Tell it before you are gone. Tell it while you are living it.
And never forget that your story might be the one someone else needs to hear.

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Want help telling your story? That is what The Black Folder Project is here for.
Keep going. Keep writing. Keep living.

Take It Early, Take Control: Why Waiting To Take Social Security Might Not Be the Best Move

Everyone’s heard it: “Wait until 70 to take Social Security so you’ll get a bigger check!”

That sounds good in theory, but let’s be honest: no one knows how long they’ll live, and the Social

Security system may not even look the same five or ten years from now.

So here’s the smarter question:
Why give up over $100,000 between ages 67 and 70 in hopes that you’ll live long enough to "make it back"?

Here’s why taking Social Security at 67 (or even earlier) might be the better move:

1. You’re here now.
We can't predict the future, but we know we’re alive today. Starting benefits at 67 guarantees income while you're still healthy enough to enjoy it.

2. You can save it or invest it.
If you don’t need the money right away, that’s even better. You can save those checks, invest them, or use them strategically. If something unexpected happens, your family can inherit what you saved. With Social Security, once you're gone, the checks stop.

3. Waiting is a gamble.
Yes, your monthly benefit grows if you wait, but it typically takes until age 82 or 83 to "break even" and come out ahead. That assumes you live that long but not everyone does.

4. The system is under pressure.
Social Security’s trust fund is expected to be partially depleted in the early 2030s. If that happens, benefits may be reduced by as much as 25%. That means waiting could actually backfire.

5. You’ve earned the right to choose.
This isn’t just about maximizing a government benefit. It’s about minimizing regret, taking control of your money, and building a legacy your family can benefit from.

Final thought

You’ve spent decades paying into the system. Taking your benefits earlier doesn’t mean you're leaving money on the table it means you’re putting yourself first. The longer you wait, the more you leave up to chance.

When the Future Is Uncertain, Organize What You Can

Life has always been full of surprises, but in today’s world—where health crises, job instability, and social changes are all around us—the idea of “getting your house in order” isn’t just good advice... it’s 
essential.

This post is about why organizing your personal affairs is a powerful act of self-respect, love, and clarity—and when you should start (hint: it’s now).

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Why Organize Your Personal Affairs?

Reason	Why It Matters
Uncertainty is constant	You don’t know when a crisis will come—being prepared reduces stress and confusion
No one else will do it for you	Loved ones shouldn’t be left guessing about your wishes
It brings peace of mind	You feel more grounded when your affairs are in order
It’s an act of love	Your family won’t have to scramble to make tough decisions
It helps you live with intention	Organizing your life forces you to reflect on what matters most

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When Should You Start?

NOW.

We wait for a better time, but the truth is:

• Should you do it before retirement? Yes.
• While you’re healthy? Absolutely.
• After a major life event (divorce, death, diagnosis)? Also yes, but don’t wait for that wake-up call.

Don’t wait for a crisis to start caring about your values, your time, or your legacy.

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Creating A Will

 ​Creating a will is a vital step in ensuring that your assets are distributed according to your wishes and that your loved ones are taken care of after your passing. While consulting an attorney is advisable for complex estates, many individuals can draft a simple will on their own using available resources. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

1. Decide How You'll Write Your Will

There are several methods to create a will:

• Hire an Attorney: For complex estates or specific legal concerns, consulting an estate planning attorney is recommended.
• Online Will-Making Services: Platforms like LegalZoom and FreeWill offer guided templates to create legally binding wills.
• Do-It-Yourself (DIY): With the right resources, you can draft your own will. Ensure it complies with state laws to be considered valid.

Another Day, Another Week, Another Year

Today, I am celebrating five years breast cancer free! It feels like a gift wrapped in resilience and hope. The results of my latest mammogram came back clear, and I am grateful. 

Breast cancer is a chapter in my life that taught me to cherish each day and live to the fullest. The treatments and uncertainty are now behind me, replaced by a sense of gratitude for the life I have today. 

For anyone currently battling breast cancer or who has come out the other side, I want to tell you this: you can move forward. You can live without that nagging worry of going back through “cancer stuff" (at least until the next check-up).

Looking Ahead: A Healthier and Kinder Me

Brent Simpson CMPD Officer an Exceptional Human Being

When I logged into Facebook to look at E2M Fitness information I saw the below post from CMPD about Brent:  

I worked with Brent at the CMPD training academy for many years. He was such an exceptional human being. He was one of those people that you KNOW when you meet them that you are blessed to have run across their path in this earthly journey. 

In 2012 when I started doing art/pyrography  I sat up a table at a Cornelius art show and Brent and his girlfriend Gina saw me and stopped by my table.  I was just starting the craft, enjoyed doing it but it was a work in progress. Below is the piece that Brent brought from me that day (it is not totally finished here...): 

"Made Up" Holidays

 Even before COVID I was over these "made-up" holidays.  

Mother's Day, Father's Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, even Christmas

During COVID I thought finally others will see that every day we should appreciate each other, remember lost loved ones, be grateful and give gifts to those we love. 

Nope.  Here we are with another year of the nonsense. 

Mother's Day just passed and you are suppose to what? take your mother out to eat? buy a card? buy a gift? buy flowers?  All of those things are nice to get and even nice to give but you don't and shouldn't wait for a made-up day to do any of these things. 

I don't like seeing the stress people are under to pretend like these days are special.  They are just plain stressful and filled with buying stuff. 

Just appreciate each other every day and don't get stressed out on these made-up days.